Physically here, mentally in San Francisco
Being physically and mentally present
Still reflecting on last week's mission trip, mentally recounting the amazing time I had. A proper reflection and review will be up soon, sharing some of the substantive lessons I accrued over the trip. Feels like the period I disconnected from the world, was the time I interacted most with the world. Sounds paradoxical, but the time I was away from socials was the time the cognisance of my surroundings peaked.
I was completely present. As a group we committed to a constitution; being offline for the duration of the trip. As a result of our decision, our focus levels were heightened and when we weren’t evangelising, we got to increase the depth of our relationships and bask in the joy of the present. We laughed about how in our current social context, it appears as though if these moments were captured then they didn't happen. Our facilitator was the only person with their phone, for safety purposes and occasional pictures of the group. Towards the end of our trip, we visited Mount Teide whose summit is the highest point in Spain. It was truly unforgettable, from the Donkey we saw at the foot of the mountain to looking down onto the serenity of the pillow of clouds that blanketed the acreage. In line with our constitution, I couldn't snap it so I just stared. Looking at the scene induced a range of thoughts, particularly on how from this altitude humans seem so insignificant.
Thought: From the apex of the Mountain, it seemed like we were but insignificant clusters of cells, that we don't really matter. Then Luke 12:7 was bought to my remembrance where it speaks of God knowing us so well, even knowing the number of hairs on our head. In our insignificance, the supreme ruler of the world finds even the minutiae details of us so significant.
It’s happening now
It still happened if you didn't snap. Ironically some of our best moments aren’t captured. As these moments unfold, our desire should be to be so deeply immersed in the present. We should want to slow down, feeling the steady beat of life unravelling accompanied by the feeling of its noise on the cochlea of our ear. My desire is to operate at a pace where I'm so receptive to all that's going on around me. Far too often we rush through experiences, forsaking the chance to become acquainted with the feelings induced from that moment. Especially in the company of others, we seldom revel in the presence of others and consequently miss them when they’re far and don’t afford them our attention when they’re close. Recently one of my friends lost a parent and whilst speaking to them, they advised me with such sincerity to really savour the time I have with mine. Sounds cliche, but her bona fides was sensed through the pensive rasp in their voice. Since I’ve been making a conscious decision to enjoy the company of my parents. It was only when we went Family bowling, that I realised how funny and competitive my Dad is (maybe that’s where I get it from because my mum's performance that day wasn't great, sorry Mum.)
Best moments aren't the always ones captured by the film of a camera but deeply inscribed into the tablets of our hearts
Here but not here
It’s so easy to be here, but not here. Sometimes I’m physically somewhere and mentally elsewhere. Physically present but mentally absent (if there was an attendance register for where our minds are, parental meetings would have to be had.) Speaking to old people is so interesting and one thing about old people is, they will remember the exact date and weather of that specific date. For so many of their lives events, they’re able to recount them so vividly and mentally recall even the most minor of details. Unfortunately, our memories aren't as clear and that's partially due to us not wholly being present. We lament missed moments, moments that if our focus was sharpened we would’ve caught. In the Ruthless Elimination of Hurry written by John Mark Comer said the “secret to happiness” is “presence to the moment” and that the emotions we have the biggest appetite for “love, joy and peace” are “incompatible with hurry.” We want to develop an inclination to live in the Kairos of life, where our concern lies in the quality of time and interactions. The Greeks made a distinction between the Chronos (quantity) and Kairos (quality) of time, having different words to express the varying axis in which time can be measured. In the verse Ephesians 5:12-16 “15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” the word used for time here is “Kairos” conveying that it's a quality of time that we want to redeem, reclaiming the pulchritudinous moments in which the distractions of life tries so heavily to steal from us.
So what's the message? We want to relish the moments we find ourselves, being wholly and completely present.
NYA
Notices
RUN CHALLENGE: From Monday 25th April I’m starting a new 30 day run challenge. It’s for all abilities and all we will be doing is making sure we complete a run everyday for 30 days. If you want to join DM me on instagram: Nana.y.a
Plugs
Lovely reminder 👏🏾
👏🏾👏🏾